This feverish infectious disease is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs and is not always easy to diagnose. It causes fever, joint and muscle pain, and lameness. In Germany, the pathogen is primarily transmitted by the castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus), with an average of one in three ticks infected.
The pathogens that cause Lyme disease are spiral-shaped bacteria of the genus Borrelia. There are several known subspecies, three of which are dangerous to dogs. The Borrelia bacteria are transmitted through the bite of a tick. The bacteria are initially located in the intestine of the infected tick and only migrate to its salivary glands when it begins to feed on blood. After the tick bite, it can therefore take up to 24 hours for the pathogens to be transmitted to the animal through the saliva and multiply in the subcutaneous tissue.
The circular inflammatory reaction at the bite site in humans is not always present in dogs or is overlooked due to the fur covering the area. This means that the disease is often detected late in dogs. The relatively long incubation period of several weeks to months also contributes to the fact that the symptoms that occur are not necessarily associated with a tick bite.
The first symptoms of the disease are rather unspecific. Affected animals show loss of appetite, apathy, and fever. These symptoms can vary and recur in several increasing episodes before, in some cases only after several months, variable joint inflammation, muscle pain, and lameness develop. Furthermore, the accumulation of immune products can cause kidney inflammation, leading to weight loss, increased drinking, and increased urination. Heart muscle inflammation has also been reported in some dogs.
However, in many cases, it is also possible for a dog infected with Borrelia to show no symptoms at all and undergo a so-called "latent infection." Borrelia-specific antibodies are found in up to 90% of all dogs that have had contact with ticks.
In conjunction with the symptoms observed, your dog's medical history is extremely important for the veterinarian, as contact with ticks is always a prerequisite for the disease. To confirm a suspected diagnosis, direct or indirect pathogen detection can be performed. However, direct detection of the pathogen in blood, joint fluid, connective tissue, muscle, lymph nodes, or the skin around the tick bite is rarely successful, as the tissue examined often contains few or no bacteria.
Antibodies against Borrelia bacteria can be detected indirectly in the blood of the infected animal. Modern rapid tests are now available to veterinarians that can distinguish between antibodies from vaccination and those from a real infection. However, these antibodies are only detectable about two weeks after infection.
However, since none of the above test methods provides an absolutely reliable result, it is particularly important to rule out other tick-borne infectious diseases and other causes of joint inflammation. With the help of successful antibiotic treatment, the veterinarian can also confirm the suspicion of Lyme disease.
Since Borrelia bacteria are bacteria, they can be effectively combated with special antibiotic preparations. However, a complete cure can only be expected if the treatment is carried out for long enough, as the pathogens have a very long development cycle and can only be attacked by the medication during their division phase.
In the case of joint inflammation, additional painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used. Please always discuss the exact procedure with your veterinarian on a case-by-case basis.
If the disease is detected early and treated correctly, the prognosis is good. If the infection progresses slowly or is already too advanced, permanent nerve damage can lead to chronic, recurring symptoms.
To prevent infection, it is important to prevent tick bites. Since the pathogens only enter the dog's body around 24 to 72 hours after the bite, you can significantly reduce the risk of Lyme disease by regularly checking your dog for ticks and removing them.
Preventive vaccination is recommended for dogs that are at high risk of infection due to frequent exposure to bushy and wooded areas. The antibodies developed by the vaccination enter the tick through the sucking action and take effect there. Dogs can be vaccinated from twelve weeks of age. For basic immunization, one vaccination is given after two to three weeks, followed by two more vaccinations at intervals of four to six months for some vaccines. The subsequent annual booster vaccinations should always be given before the peak of tick activity in March/April. Your vet can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your dog via petsXL, and you will automatically receive notifications when it is time to make another appointment.
To remove the tick correctly and completely, always use tick tweezers or a tick card. Use these to grasp the tick as close to your dog's skin as possible. Pull the tick out slowly without twisting or squeezing it. If the tick is squashed or stressed by prolonged manipulation, it will release more saliva and pathogens. If the tick's mouthparts or head remain stuck in the skin after removal, this can lead to inflammation or allergic reactions.
Then thoroughly disinfect the bite area and your hands. Dispose of the tick by burning it or wrapping it in paper towel and crushing it. Alternatively, you can simply fix it between two strips of adhesive tape. Then dispose of it in the household waste. If you want to know whether the tick is infected with Borrelia or other pathogens, send it alive in a well-sealed plastic bag by post to a special laboratory.
Observe your dog over the next few weeks for signs such as fever, tiredness, or lameness. If you suspect an infection, consult your veterinarian immediately.
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